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MGMT-MGMT: Available for Listening Pre-Release

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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
MGMT has made it possible for people to listen to their new self-titled album in full. It cannot be downloaded yet legally so I won't be posting a link in this thread.

Listen to it here:
http://mgmt.rdioexclusives.com/optimizer.php

Use this thread for discussion on the album.
Sep 10 2013 1:33AM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
just saw them at bumbershoot last weekend and it was not a good show. even when i saw them at the height of their popularity (2009ish) they were too damn high and fucked up to play an engaging set. played kids for their closer and it was just a recording while they ran around and threw fucking fruit at the audience. sorry mgmt. i want to like them but i just cant
Sep 10 2013 1:54AM
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Joebin
Posts: 1664 - Karma: 867
I feel like this describes them pretty well. Their first album was awesome, but their second, and presumably third (Ive heard a few tracks so far) are just trying too hard to be different and psychedelic. Dont get me wrong I understand that theyre artists and can take their music any direction that they want, but dont make a super poppy album and follow it up with stuff thats completely different. If I wanted to listen to something different I'd listen to a different group.
Sep 10 2013 2:04AM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
^perfect example of someone who really hasn't even listened to Oracular in depth. "Poppy"? Are you kidding? Oracular, while I agree is their best album, is almost completely psychedelic rock. Listen to it in order all the way through a few times and you'll know what I'm saying. Songs like The Handshake and Of Moons, Birds, And Monsters will show you this.

To me, albeit my opinion, Congrstulations is a close second and a real masterpiece. Everything in the album fits together perfectly. It's also very psychedelic and beautiful with a surf-style vibe. Siberian Breaks is just 12 minutes of pure bliss and to me is one of their best songs.

This on the other had, we'll have to see. I place my trust in them to make a great album, but it's probably going to take several listens to really get into it. Hopefully I can. I think Alien Days is actually an awesome song. And even though YLIAL is incredibly linear and not that great on it's own, I can tell it fits into the album very well. Only time will tell if this is any good.

If you're looking to get into them and their stuff outside their 3 big albums, check out "Metanoia," "Love Always Remains," and "Destrokk."

For very good live performances (some of my favorites ever), check out their Reading and Leeds Fest and Live On Letterman sets.
Sep 10 2013 10:37AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
It's telling me the video is not properly encoded... anyone else getting this issue?
Sep 10 2013 10:51AM
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BE..
Posts: 1185 - Karma: 81
I thought LateNightTales was pretty good. Not a huge fan of their other two albums. From what I've heard from this new one, it sounds like they are taking a new direction sonically.
Sep 10 2013 12:49PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Chrome dun fucked up. IE Just loaded it... WTF IE did something Chrome couldnt....
Sep 10 2013 1:08PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Late NightTales only has one song played by MGMT, and it's not even composed by them (All We Ever Wanted Was Everything). The rest is just a compilation of songs that inspired their own style.
Sep 10 2013 1:24PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,298
This is one of my favs, but none of their new songs seem to have this sound. Even the non hits on Oracular had the same chill, stoned, yet still upbeat and fun sound. From Congrats on its just sounds like they are trying to be as extra psychedelic as possible, so i stopped listening. Along with most of their original fans.
Sep 10 2013 6:34PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Love Always Remains is a great song and shows their synth-pop side. It's interesting because I'm not a fan of a lot of the other stuff from that time period (Their first album "Climbing To New Lows.")

 I'd try listening to both albums (Oracular and Congrats) in succession. It's an amazing 86 minutes. I respect that. If you can't get the feel of Congrats I can understand that. To me I like it nearly as much as I like Oracular.

Awesome songs like It's Working, Song For Dan Treacy, Flash Delerium, and Brian Eno are held together by cool, fitting transitions like Someone's Missing and I Found a Whistle. Siberian Breaks is a beautiful, complex masterpiece in itself, and Congratulations seals the deal as the final track.

I feel like by most of their original fans, you mean the Kids Electric Feel Time To Pretend crew. (No hate, they are great songs). Congrats doesn't sound like it's supposed to be catchy or even popular, but it is a masterpiece.
Sep 10 2013 6:53PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Chrome is the worst browser ever made, constant fuckups, and incompatibility, but it's so much faster than any others so that's why I use it.

And major ducking threads, can't wait to ear this
Sep 10 2013 6:57PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5206 - Karma: 20,187
I haven't had to a chance to just listen with all my attention yet, but on a first listen tbh I kind of got bored with it. It took me a few listens to like Congratulations as well though, so I have high hopes. I am really liking Mystery Disease so far.

definitely does not deserve a fucking 4/10 though or whatever Spin gave it.
Sep 10 2013 6:59PM
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BE..
Posts: 1185 - Karma: 81
Yeah, I liked it...
Sep 10 2013 7:07PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,298
I feel like this is my issue. While i don't really listen to mainstream top 40 pop, I LIKE catchy music. I LIKE music that is made to sound popular. I have Congratulations and ive listened to the whole thing, and its not like i hate it, it just doesn't grab me like Oracular or Climbing To New Lows did. Around 2009 they were one of my top five favorite bands, and now they are just something I can dose off to on a road trip. I'll probably torrent the newest album and buy it if i'm on board, but i kind of doubt I'll love it like their old stuff.
Sep 10 2013 8:07PM
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Juicy-J
Posts: 1900 - Karma: 1,764
exactly this. I was excited that they came to my city but the show ended up being awful
Sep 10 2013 9:26PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
I went to that show too if it was the one this past summer. It was honestly the worst show I've been to, although I haven't been to many.
Sep 10 2013 10:26PM
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garrets
Posts: 1447 - Karma: 60
There were some good songs but I was a little disappointed with the album as a whole. That'll probly change after further listening but I don't think it'll ever compare to Congratulations which in my opinion is one of the best albums to come out recently.
Sep 10 2013 11:37PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
This is starting to grow on me pretty well. I like it a lot. It won't ever stand up to Oracular Or Congratulations but I really do like it.
Sep 10 2013 11:50PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
And a little clarification: Andrew and Ben are NOT "trying" to sound as psychedelic and spacey as possible. They are playing their sound. It is what they sound like and it's the only way they could allow themselves to make music.

If you don't like it, that's fine, keep bumping Oracular and so will I. I however, am on board with what Vanwyngarden and Goldwasser are doing and am loving what their minds do.
Sep 11 2013 12:34PM
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GnarNinja
Posts: 660 - Karma: 884
I liked it better than I thought I would. My favorite thing from them was the whole time to pretend ep. Congratulations was alright, but they suck live now.
Sep 11 2013 12:37PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
http://pitchfork.com/features/cover-story/reader/mgmt/

Here's an amazing article about the band, their past, and the new album. Pitchfork was on point with this cover story!

I'd suggest that everyone read it.



Back to the album: I just wish they'd keep guitar as an element in their music. Other than that, I'm quickly falling in love with the sound of this album!
Sep 11 2013 1:03PM
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paige.
Posts: 1930 - Karma: 907
They surprisingly played a really solid set in Calgary this year. A good mix of early and late stuff and they were really into it.
Despite that it was easily the worst show I've been to. Way too many teenagers there to be seen rather than listening to the music. The group of 8 of them on our right was standing in a circle (aka half of them facing away from the stage) bitching about their frizzy hair, girlfriend, homework etc so loudly it was impossible to ignore. The girl in the couple on our left spent 15min straight looking down at her phone texting. Another chick came up to us and asked if she could go in front of us because she "wasn't here for the show, she just wanted to see a friend", when my boyfriend told her that we were actually interested in the performance we paid $50 to see she got pissed off and hit him.
A perfect reminder of why I try to avoid all-ages shows at all costs.
Sep 11 2013 1:53PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Another incredible interview. Check this out!

http://www.electronicbeats.net/en/features/interviews/everything-is-not-ok-an-interview-with-mgmt/


Furthermore, I'd like to touch on the poetry and rhythm of a few of the songs. Know how in poetry, the rhythm of a poem can symbolize what the poem is about? (A poem about a train having a "chugachuga" rhythm for example)

YLIAL is very linear and repetitive to represent the typical socially expected life the song is about. (Not attributing any genius to the song, simply an observation.)

Next comes I Love You Too, Death. I love this song. It's all about death and has a positive message. The song starts off pretty...scary actually. Scary is the word I'd use to describe it. Then, as the lyrics and message transition to a positive outlook on death, the song becomes more upbeat, or even happy.




Sep 19 2013 1:49PM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
yeah no,

MGMT isn't poppy, their first album, "climbing to new lows" under the name "the management" was more similar to congratulations in its sound, and more similar to the new album

"electric feel", "kids" and "time to pretend" are sort of black sheep for mgmt
Sep 19 2013 4:25PM
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panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
Quoting from the article zimmerman shared directly above your post:

"It’s funny that there are these standards of what is pop music and what isn’t. I actually almost got into an argument with a journalist over it because he was trying to get me to talk about why MGMT suddenly decided not to make pop music anymore. No! We’re making pop music! Who gets to decide who’s making pop music and who’s not? I also think it’s funny, the whole idea of really pretentious people reading blogs and finding these things that nobody knows about and then as soon as people find out about it, it suddenly becomes not cool anymore. That’s just ridiculous to me. I think it’s important to stay above it in a way, but still not to be too good for it."
Sep 19 2013 4:30PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
While I agree they aren't poppy at all, Climbing To New Lows is nothing like Congratulations and even less like the new album. It's mediocre synthpop at best compared to the main 3 albums.

Also I wouldn't say those songs are black sheep. It just isn't their sound anymore.
Sep 19 2013 4:34PM
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